Intangibles Assets is an asset that lacks physical substance like a patent in contrast to physical assets, such as machinery and buildings, and cash.

Intangibles Assets are assets that lack physical substance; in contrast to physical assets, such as machinery and buildings, and financial assets such as government securities. An intangible asset is usually very hard to evaluate. Examples are patents, copyright, franchises, goodwill, trademarks, and trade names.

You must generally amortize Intangibles Assets over 15 years the capitalized costs of “section 197 intangibles” you acquired after August 10, 1993. You must amortize these costs if you hold the section 197 intangibles in connection with your trade or business or in an activity engaged in for the production of income.

Note: You may not be able to amortize section 197 Intangibles Assets acquired in a transaction that did not result in a significant change in ownership or use. Refer to Anti-Churning Rules in Publication 535, Business Expenses.

Intangibles Assets is property that has value but cannot be seen or touched. It includes things such as:

• Goodwill.
• Going concern value.
• The workforce in place.
• Business books and records, operating systems, or any other information base, including lists or other information concerning current or prospective customers.
• A patent, copyright, formula, process, design, pattern, know-how, format, or similar item.
• A customer-based intangible.
• A supplier-based intangible.
• Any item is similar to items (3) through (7).
• A license, permit, or other right granted by a governmental unit or agency (including issuances and renewals).
• A covenant not to compete entered into in connection with the acquisition of an interest in a trade or business.
• Any franchise, trademark, or trade name.
• A contract for the use of, or a term interest in, any item in this list.

Note: You cannot amortize any of the Intangibles Assets listed in items (1) through (8) that you created rather than acquired unless you created them in acquiring assets that make up a trade or business or a substantial part of a trade or business. For a complete discussion of intangibles refer to Chapter 8, Amortization, in Publication 535, Business Expenses.